Marvel’s “Eyes of Wakanda” emerges as a visually groundbreaking animated anthology, significantly expanding the lore and rich history of the iconic nation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Premiering on Disney+ on August 1, 2025, this four-episode series, developed by Todd Harris and produced by Ryan Coogler, delves into the covert operations of Wakanda’s secret agents, the Hatut Zeraze, also known as War Dogs. Positioned within Phase Six of the MCU’s Sacred Timeline, it functions as both a spiritual companion to the Black Panther saga and a unique exploration of Wakanda’s hidden global influence across centuries.
The most striking aspect of “Eyes of Wakanda” is its distinctive visual style, which represents a bold departure from typical MCU animation. Combining sophisticated 3D rendering with expressive painterly textures, the hand-drawn look is inspired by artists like Ernie Barnes. This unique art direction meticulously evokes a sense of myth and oral history, grounding each story in its specific cultural context and enhancing the series’ overall atmospheric depth.
Each episode meticulously transports viewers to a different era and region, showcasing the far-reaching impact of Wakanda’s covert presence from ancient Crete during the Trojan War to 19th-century Ethiopia and Qing dynasty China. This expansive timeline highlights the kingdom’s global reach and cultural resonance, revealing how its operatives were tasked with retrieving stolen vibranium and safeguarding the nation’s profound secrets.
Thematically, the animated series profoundly explores core concepts of loyalty, national responsibility, secrecy, and the intricate challenges of cultural preservation. The War Dogs frequently navigate complex ethical dilemmas and intense political tensions in their missions, often grappling with the inherent costs of protecting Wakanda from external threats and maintaining its unparalleled technological and cultural isolation.
Early critical reception has widely celebrated “Eyes of Wakanda” for its ambitious creative vision, particularly commending its innovative visual storytelling and mature narrative tone. Reviewers from publications like The Verge and The Ringer have praised its compelling ability to reframe established MCU lore in a fresh, grounded, and historically enriched manner, providing new perspectives on a beloved fictional world.
However, the anthology format, comprising four standalone episodes, has led to some critical observations that the storytelling can occasionally feel rushed. Character development, especially for the series’ recurring War Dog leads, is sometimes constrained by the limited runtime of each segment, leaving audiences desiring more in-depth exploration of their individual journeys and relationships.
Despite these minor limitations, “Eyes of Wakanda” marks a pivotal step in Marvel’s animated evolution, significantly deepening the narrative surrounding one of its most iconic fictional nations with profound historical and emotional complexity. This series not only enriches the existing Black Panther lore but also opens expansive creative avenues for future MCU storytelling, demonstrating the power of short-form, world-building narratives to broaden the franchise’s scope.
